Laursen set to bolster Leicester's defence

Jacob Laursen, FC Copenhagen's Danish international central defender, was undergoing a medical with Leicester City yesterday with a view to completing a permanent move to Filbert Street.

The 30-year-old, who joined Copenhagen from Derby in 2000 and played 56 games in their league-winning campaign under the English coach Roy Hodgson, is moving in an attempt to bolster Leicester's woeful defence.

Dave Bassett, the Leicester manager, said: "It's no secret that we are short on defenders and Jacob is someone who has played at the very highest level with 25 international caps to his name." City expect to complete the deal in time for Laursen to be eligible for Saturday's Premiership game away to West Ham.

The Derby manager Colin Todd has confirmed he is willing to allow the midfielder Georgi Kinkladze to leave. The Georgian has failed to hold down a first-team place with the struggling Rams and has been linked with a move away from Pride Park.

Earlier this season, Kinkladze demanded a meeting with the Rams' manager to discuss his lack of first-team opportunities and Todd says he will not stand in the midfielder's way.

Internazionale have sold the Turkish international striker Hakan Sukur to Parma. He made 24 appearances for Inter in Italy last season and scored five goals but has failed to get into the first-team this season.

David Dunn has insisted he does not want to leave Blackburn Rovers after being linked with an £8m move to Chelsea.

The England Under-21 midfielder insists he is committed to Blackburn, even though he has not been a regular fixture in the side in recent weeks.

"It's the same situation as when I've been linked with other clubs in the past – I've no intention of leaving Blackburn Rovers," Dunn said.

"This is my club and this is where I want to play. Obviously I've been disappointed at not playing recently, but it's up to me to knuckle down and win my place back. I'm buying a house in the area so that proves I don't want to go anywhere."

Norway's national team doctor Lars Engebretsen said John Carew's fitness is not in doubt in spite of Fulham's insistence that he failed a medical. The 22-year-old international's propsed £7.5m move collapsed on Monday, although Valencia said there was no fitness problem.

"I was really surprised when I read that he had 'jumper's' knee," Engebretsen said. "I've examined him many times, the last time being against Armenia in October. He didn't have it then and no one's ever said anything about jumper's knee. He is actually one of the only players in the national team who have what is called a 'blank record'."